Overrated Pack.

[Guest]

Hey roz, great post.

Don't you think though that based on current form, Tasi will offer just as much as JWH and then some?

I do and agree that tasi has been playing out of his skin this year so far. That said, he has played less than 20 games of firsts and at this stage of his career is of most value off the bench being able to add impact but also has a strong workrate off the bench. JWH is an international and loves the opening exchanges and has also been arguably our best so far this year and kennedy is probably worth persevering with in the starting side for the time being

[The Brain]

Well the tag fits they are lead by the overated one in Braith Anasta

[Headless Chook]

Well the tag fits they are lead by the overated one in Braith Anasta

Thats just plain wrong......nobody has rated Braith for a long time now!

[Guest]

I understand what you are getting at but I think you are overreacting a bit. Moving JWH back to the bench would be a step backwards imo. He is a great leader and his hit on King at the start of the game exemplifies why we need him out there starting. I agree on MK but he is coming back from a career threatening injury and though I would not be adverse to seeing him on the bench for a bit until he gets back to full tilt, in the interests of balance he should remain in the starting team.

Friend is the much maligned player atm. While the criticisms are understandable, he is young and going through a bit of a rough patch. He is 21 and will come good. Has a lot to offer.

I agree with your points on maubs and guerra. maubs is definitely not getting involved enough but imo its not a result of a lack of willingness to get involved necessarily but maybe more the game plan. That said, he does tend to go quiet at times. Maybe the captaincy is something that will take him to the next level but Guerra and maubs should definitely be our long-term backrow combination.

Cordner is excellent. Yes he is still growing but starting him was a good move imo as that starting pack from sunday is exactly what I envisage being our long-term starting pack. I would be more than happy to see it unchanged for the rest of the season. Well balanced and plenty of aggression, toughness, skill and size.

As for the bench, I have been saying for weeks that taka in particular is too lazy and a wasted spot on the bench atm for the minutes he is playing. Masoe has lost the plot in recent weeks imo. Looks uninterested and doesnt have that something about him off the bench. Tasi should be retained on the bench all year to continue his development but I agree he is an absolute gem.

Id like to see mitchell come back on the bench for a bit of spark. We are carrying a big bench which while im not adverse too, it means that everyone is playing less minutes imo. 3 forwards on the bench is ample. the fact that a few forwards are playing less than 30mins because of the 4 man bench exemplifies the problems with this. It also means none of them really have the opportunity to have a real impact.

Our pack for this weekend or at least until FPN comes back should be:
8. JWH
9. Friend
10. Kennedy
11. Guerra
12. Maubs
13. Cordner

14. Arona
15. Tasi
16. Bosden
17. Mitchell

Bosden deserves more of a crack imo. He was good from the couple of opportunities he has been given so far and playing on a 3 man forward rotation should also give him more minutes to prove himself and show what hes got. Arona has been a real revelation. Im a big fan but with his utility value being able to play prop and lock means he is of more value on the bench if we are only going to carry the 1 genuine prop in tasi despite the fact that bosden plays a gallen-like role from lock.

I would rather Bosden over FPN
His 2010 days are over